Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill, if passed, would establish safety standards for bleachers (tiered seating without backrests) in public venues across New Jersey. It requires three types of entities - governmental bodies (like cities or schools), private organizations (such as sports venues), and nonprofits - to upgrade their bleachers to meet these standards within 1-2 years of implementation, or face being banned from use. Entities failing to comply must display prominent warning notices stating the bleachers are not certified safe. The bill mandates inspections and certification by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, referencing existing safety guidelines from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most large commercial trucks (over 26,001 lbs gross weight) operating in New Jersey to install GPS navigation systems that provide two specific safety features: real-time alerts about low-clearance bridges and weight restrictions, and dynamic route planning adjusted for the vehicle's exact height and weight. It excludes vehicles operated by government agencies, schools, or religious organizations. The Motor Vehicle Commission must create implementing rules, and the requirement takes effect 180 days after enactment. The bill directly affects commercial trucking companies and drivers operating eligible vehicles on New Jersey highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2673) prohibits New Jersey public utilities (like gas, electric, or water companies) from raising rates for products or services until the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) completes a hearing and formally determines the increase is "just and reasonable." Currently, utilities can implement rate hikes before the hearing concludes, but this bill requires them to wait for the BPU's final approval. The key mechanism shifts the timeline: utilities must wait for the hearing's conclusion and the BPU's written determination before increasing rates, placing the burden on the utility to prove the increase is justified. This applies specifically to rate increase petitions filed under existing BPU regulations.

Maddy summaryAJR 90 designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness about people with profound autism and their caregivers. The resolution specifically highlights individuals requiring 24/7 care due to severe intellectual disabilities or minimal language, who are often excluded from support programs. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize this day, aligning with CDC findings that 26.7% of autistic children have profound autism. This is a commemorative resolution with no new policy requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2690) elevates the crime of leaving the scene of an accident that results in death from a second-degree to a first-degree offense. It directly affects drivers who leave such accident scenes, increasing penalties from up to 10 years in prison to up to 20 years, and raising fines from $150,000 to $200,000. The law clarifies that a driver’s knowledge of the death or violation of traffic laws is not required for conviction. It also ensures separate sentences for this charge and related offenses like aggravated manslaughter, with sentences running consecutively. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2698) designates the "9/11 Heart Symbol flag" as an official New Jersey state flag for remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It requires the flag to be displayed during normal business hours on September 11th each year at all state-funded 9/11 memorial sites, the State House in Trenton, and the main municipal and county buildings in every municipality and county seat. The flag features a white banner with a red heart containing "9-11-01 Never Forgotten" and a twin-tower silhouette. The bill takes immediate effect and focuses solely on ceremonial recognition, with no new taxes or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's general sales and use tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects all consumers and businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey, including retail purchases, certain services like installation and storage, and prepared food. The key change is a straightforward percentage reduction in the tax rate applied to eligible transactions under existing tax law. This policy update simplifies the tax structure by lowering the rate without altering the scope of taxable items. The change applies to all sales and services subject to the state's general sales tax as defined in current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires community group home applicants to obtain local government approval before applying for a state license. Specifically, it mandates that applicants get a "certificate of preliminary approval" from municipal officials confirming the home meets all local zoning and land use regulations. This applies directly to organizations seeking to operate community group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities or addiction needs. The state department of human services cannot issue a license without this municipal approval, adding a new local review step to the licensing process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval for any updates or revisions to the state's core curriculum standards. The State Board must submit proposed changes to the Legislature, which then has 45 days to approve or disapprove them via a concurrent resolution. Approved updates become effective, while disapproved revisions are not implemented. This directly affects the state's public schools and curriculum development process by shifting approval authority from the Board to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2640) requires public employees in New Jersey who are married to other public employees to select health care coverage through the employer of the higher-earning spouse. It prohibits public employers from paying employees to waive coverage (ending a previous practice where employers could pay up to 50% of savings from waived coverage). The law prevents dual coverage for spouses: if both work for public employers, the lower-earning spouse cannot receive health benefits from their own employer's plan. This applies to all public employers, including counties, municipalities, school districts, and related agencies. The bill updates existing health benefit enrollment rules to enforce this single-coverage requirement for married public employee couples.